Nigeria’s future bleak, says Ohaneze president

President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, John Nwodo has said that unless Nigerians come to the table to discuss issues affecting the nation truthfully, the future of the Nigerian nation will remain bleak, posing a major challenge for the future.

Nwodo spoke just as as elder statesman, Prof. Anya O.Anya advocated for the restructuring of the current federal system which he said was too expensive for the country and revert to the old regional system.

Speaking at the 90th birthday lecture for Chief Edwin Clark in Abuja, Nwodo said that since the attainment of independence, the civilians have not been able to agree on a political structure for FG he country.

According to him, the present constitution and the previous 1979 constitution were impositions of the military – an unrepresentative and dictatorial corps whose decrees were seriously influenced by the lop-sidedness of their composition, while the economic and development data from Nigeria is unencouraging in many sectors.

He said “Our law and order system including the police, the court system and the penal system has been characterised by impunity, incompetence and indiscipline.

“On the global Terrorism Index Nigeria ranks 3rd after Iraq and Afghanistan and ahead ofPakistan and Syria. The World Economic Forum ranks Nigeria 127 out of 138 on the Global Competitiveness Index. The UNESCO ranks Nigeria with Chad, Pakistan and Ethiopia as the worst educational system in the world.

“Nigeria, according to the report, has the highest number of children out of school and one of the world’s worst education systems due to a combination of corruption, conflict and lack of investment.

“In the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program, Nigeria ranks 152 out of 188 countries and is the lowest among OPEC countries. The data points to a bleak future as we march to post-oil world without a coherent plan to reduce conflict and build a new national consensus.

“On the positive side, there is a global consensus that Nigeria is highly potentiated. With a population of about 182 million people, by current estimates; and with our vast mineral and material resources; a well-organized Nigeria should be a land of plenty that supports its people and a leader in the comity of nations. Sadly, this is not the case.

“Almost every Nigerian is agreed that Nigeria is not working but there is no clear consensus on why; or on what to do about it. Some say that it is merely a problem of leadership and once that is fixed all other things will fall in place. Others say that it is a problem of corruption. Once you tackle that, everything will be fine.

“Others have said that our problem is one of law and order; some say it is more fundamental and has to do with control of resources, structure of the Federation and thus requires more equitable sharing of revenue and the devolution of powers.

“Others say it can be fixed with power rotation and a more level playing field. It has been said that it could be a bit of all of the above; and that Nigeria cannot be fixed without a fundamental change of values and attitudes. Whatever the case, it will not profit us to pretend that we do not face existential challenges

“These challenges are worrisome; especially to our younger ones who must face the fact that the next 50 years could be even more challenging and there is a good chance that we could be left behind if we fail to take action today. For instance, it is estimated in some quarters, that by 2050 – that is in 33 years’ time – Nigeria could be the 4th most populous country in the world.

“That means that Nigeria, which is just twice the size of Texas; would be more populous than all the United States of America. Meanwhile, as of today, we have a GDP that is barely 2% of that of the United States.

“At the same time, in the years ahead, we could face very severe ecological challenges that will impact negatively on our economy.The desert is encroaching southwards at a speed of up to 6 km per annum. Thus within 33 years we could lose about 200 km of land to the desert – across the north. This can only exacerbate competition for arable land in the north and elsewhere – with dire political consequences.

“We must become more responsive to the world around us, or we and our children will be left behind. These are some of the fears and anxieties of our youths. We have for too long allowed the bitterness of the war and its lingering feelings to dictate our political relationships.

“The coalition that fought the war is still in control of Nigeria engaging in rhetoric that fuelled the war in managing renascent Nigeria. The young men and women who were not part of the war are frustrated by this impasse.”

Also speaking, Prof Anya said one of the experience of the present democratic interlude that we have enjoyed since 1999 is the fact that the current 36 states, except for four states are financially unviable.

He said that “the present governance structure is too expensive to meet our needs for prudence and affordable management. In any case, the presidential system, in its current form has inherent centralizing tendencies consistent with the military ethos that gave birth to it in the first place, peharps, we need to reconcile this with the democratic ethos which the parliamentary system promotes.

“In this regards, we may consider any additional states that the principle of self determination may suggest in the interest of equity and justice to all sections of Nigeria especially the minorities.

“The states will then constitute development areas while the geopolitical zones or regions will be the federating units. In this manner we can release local talents and initiative for development while conserving resources by reducing the cost of governance.”

NIGERIA future is brilliant, bright and exciting….only ohhnazee or whatever they are called has bleak and miserable future! Infact I see a better Nigeria with these horrific ohanzzze! Horrible people

Dele Odugbemi

@ Curtz, I am sure you are a politician who is benefiting buoyantly from the current economic, political, religious and social problems confronting the country without an end in sight in foreseeable future from now and these catastrophic problems inflicted on the country by the past and present corrupt politicians in governments at all levels across the country may cause serious chaos and anarchy in the nearest future if the present political leaders do not find urgent and equitable solutions to ease out the problems enveloping the entire country at an alarming speed.
God bless Nigeria!

Curtx Maccido

Well am not a politician but an ordinary Nigerian who believe the country will be better despite the challenges – it was worse than this situation in many advanced countries in the past besides I always don’t believe in negativism like this ohanzee who for political reasons want to ‘eat their cakes and also have it for keep’…..Nigeria was a good country when Jonathan was lavishing funds and some of their kinsmen were stealing with him, when obasanjo was throwing funds away through various lousy projects in their favour…but as soon there’s a change of government with emphasis on prudence, anti-corruption, responsibility….they start ranting and cursing. Again Nigeria future is bright and promising with or without biafrans! Politically they should realize they can win or lose and be prepared for both results, when you win you enjoy it and when you lose be a formidable opposition and not screaming and cursing, horrible people!

ALHAJI OIL MONEY

Thank you Dele Odugbemi for bringing this fool to his lowest level .He has made himself so stupid that he didnt know what to write again. i wonder how old you are .if you are above 18 ,your parents should be crying for you ,bc they didnt just lose you , you died with foolishness. imagine what a young man is writing ?? tomorrow you will say you r a graduate. U snapped picture in another man’s company and you are jumping.. stupidity and hatred have beclouded your sense of reasoning that you cant read what is simply written in a simple text.

Curtx Maccido

How can anyone be this stupid and foolish with comments? Must you be a dumb and an idiot…what’s the topic what’s he talking? Pathetic Omo ibo …. classic psychiatric patient, again to hell with any group or individual who curse the future of this country. Horrible junkie… that’s the simple reason why smoking weed is dangerous, can’t you contribute and make your case? Buffoon!

ALHAJI OIL MONEY

DELE has leveled you to a pig. Pigs and men dont coexist. I can Buy that office from my back pocket

ALHAJI OIL MONEY

this your peanut job don dey puff you.for your mind Nija is very good for you. Finally you are receiving peanut ..JUnky Imbecile

Curtx Maccido

Ohhh…it’s the same idiot!

Dr Pat Kolawole awosan

Whatever is the issue/s that is a great concern to any ethnic group in our country Nigeria, must be brought out into the open for discussion as every ethnic/tribal sector in the nation, recognized that Nigeria, requires restructuring as presidential system of governance, is too expensive and not ideal for the development of Nigeria.Parliamentary system that was practiced during the first republic, which enabled each ethnic group and region to developed at its own pace and allowed region to control its revenues but paid taxes to the Federal Government account to maintain the Federation entity would be the best option for Nigeria.Nigeria, tried the parliamentary system and it benefited Nigeria, and Nigeria, has tried and still experimenting the presidential system, and the negative impact and waste recorded condemned the presidential system of government.Nigeria, must restructure and re-adopt the parliamentary system of governance which is less expensive, possesses in-built check & balances and enable each ethnic group in Nigeria, to developed at its own chosen pace..